Sen. Ben Nighthorse Campbell (R-Colo) says he is being unfairly being thrust in the middle of a debate over a proposed tribal casino in his home state.

Campbell told The Denver Post he is being singled out because he is American Indian. "I really resent being focused on because I really believe there's a racial thing that makes it interesting to get poor ol' half-breed Campbell in a damn crossfire," the Northern Cheyenne tribal member said in an interview with the paper.

Campbell reiterated his opposition to plans by the Cheyenne and Arapaho Tribes of Oklahoma to open a casino in northeastern Colorado. He said it is "sacrilegious" to link a casino to the Sand Creek Massacre, when more than 100 Cheyenne men, women and children were massacred in the area.

Campbell expressed uneasiness about being the go-to guy for Indian issues. He cited Indian-led protests in Denver against Christopher Columbus.

"The Indians get mad at me if I don't lay my body down in front of the Columbus Day parade," Campbell was quoted as saying. "And the Italians get mad at me if I don't try to stop the Indians from protesting. I think it's unfair and quite frankly racially tinged."

Get the Story:
Casino 'crossfire' infuriates Campbell (The Denver Post 1/16)

Relevant Links:
Cheyenne and Arapaho Tribes of Oklahoma - http://www.cheyenne-arapaho.nsn.us

Related Stories:
Cheyenne-Arapaho Tribes cite support for Colo. casino (1/15)
Harjo: Secrets of the Sand Creek land purchase (12/22)

Related Stories:
Cheyenne-Arapaho Tribes cite support for Colo. casino (1/15)